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A freshening breeze cooled the grounds at The Woodlands Thursday afternoon as Maite Murphy was sworn in to the Circuit Court of South Carolina, at large Seat 15.S.C. Chief Justice Jean Toal presided over the special convening of the court and administered the oath. Murphy was joined by her husband Rep. Chris Murphy and their two sons, Austin and Jackson.The occasion included remarks from Rep. Jenny Horne, Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein, and Toal, who praised Murphy's ability as a jurist. Sen. Sean Bennett led the Pledge of Allegiance.Murphy thanked all who had helped her along the way, singling out Horne and Goodstein as being crucial to her success as a judge – first as a magistrate, more recently as Dorchester County Master-in-Equity and now the circuit court.Horne spoke of the importance of having the at-large seat awarded to someone from Dorchester County, and in particular to Murphy. She spoke of Murphy's expertise as an attorney and a judge. She also spoke of Murphy as a close friend, mother and wife.Horne noted that there are now nine women among the 49 circuit court judges in South Carolina and that until the mid-1980s there were no women in the circuit court.Goodstein echoed those sentiments, speaking directly to the Murphy children about how exceptional their parents are. Following the swearing-in, Goodstein gave Murphy her Judge's robe.The investiture ceremony was followed by a reception inside the Woodlands mansion and a party at the Woodlands Pavilion.See more photos from the event at journalscene.com

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